From March 20 to 21, 2023, media professionals took stock of the situation of women in the media in Francophone Africa around the theme: “Sexual harassment in the media sphere”.
This meeting was an opportunity for women in the media in particular and professional journalists in general and those of social media (Tik-tok, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram) to share without taboos the experiences of sexual harassment and propose solutions to banish this scourge that is growing and hinders the development of women in the profession.
The First Lady of the DRC, who campaigns for the promotion and defense of women’s rights, participated personally in this work.
Speaking on this occasion, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi urged media professionals to denounce any act of violence they may be victims or witnesses.
“You media professionals have learned to process information and disseminate it effectively, talk about sexual harassment that your colleagues or you suffer so that help is brought to you. It is only by this way that sexual predators will be put out of harm’s way.
The President of the DNT Foundation then encouraged media professionals to advocate for ethics and respect for professional conduct in the profession.
At the end of the meeting, the participants made the following recommendations
-On the institutional level, the DRC should take certain measures to protect young journalists and those who deserve to be promoted.
To set up an anti-harassment brigade that will allow women and men victims of harassment in the media field to address their complaints anonymously in order to denounce their tormentors.
Promote women to decision-making positions.
-Women must encourage other women.
This document was given to the Minister of Culture and Art representing the government for the implementation of these resolutions.
According to the President of the Foundation Zacharie Babaswe “FOBAZA” initiator of this conference, the mission of this work is to:
To give women of the media elements of language of struggle
against harassment;
-Make denunciation a duty for women in the media;
-Make women in the media the spokespersons of the struggle;
-To provide information on how to protect oneself without compromising one’s future;
-Reduce harassment in the profession through knowledge of the
subject.
This conference is a collaboration between the Zacharie Babaswe Foundation and the Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi Foundation.